Then dried she the tears of her weeping with her vesture's snow-white fold From her lovely eyes, and she poured forth the thanks of the happy-souled To the bearer of these glad tidings that made music in her ears. Past was all her affliction, and banished were all her tears. She prayed her herald to seat him; that did he willingly; Then spake that winsome lady: "Exceeding glad were I If I dared but give unto Siegfried my gold for his herald's fee; But for this art thou too exalted--I have left but love for thee." But he said, "Though thirty kingdoms were each and all named mine, Gifts would I take glad-hearted from this fair hand of thine." Answered the high-born Lady, "My desire shall become my deed." And her chamberlain she commanded to bring her the herald's meed. {P. 76} Four-and-twenty armlets that flashed with many a gem Gave she to him for guerdon: for himself he kept not them; Of his knightly and courteous spirit he dealt them in that same hour To her comely maidens which waited on their Lady in her bower. Then her most loving service graciously tendered the Queen. "Lo, this of my message remaineth," spake on that warrior keen, "Touching that which the King desireth when he meets you by Rhine-flood's side: If herein ye will do his pleasure, in his love shall ye ever abide. His noble guests receive ye--for this his petition is-- With loving and courteous welcome; and he earnestly asketh this, That ye ride forth all to meet him from Worms by the Rhine-stream shore. This is the kindness that Gunther by your love and your faith doth implore." "Even that will I do right gladly," the Fair One made reply: "Of all wherein I can serve him nothing will I deny. In loyallest love and kindness shall his every wish be fulfilled." And the blood in her fair cheeks mantled from the heart with rapture thrilled. Never had herald of princes more gracious welcome than he: An she dared but have kissed him, kissed him with all her heart had she. And so with sweet leave-taking from those ladies forth he went. Now Burgundy's thanes were fulfilling the commands by Siegfried sent. There Sindold and Hunold bestirred them, and Rumold the noble thane; With all their hearts they laboured, and in love they toiled amain Making ready the festal high-seats in Worms beside the river: Early and late those craftsmen of the King were toiling ever. Ortwein withal and Gere were nowise slack of hand, For they sent forth word unto kinsmen through the length and the breadth of the land To bid those guests to the feast-tide that soon should be holden there; And ready was made her adorning by many a maiden fair. Splendour-arrayed was the palace, and with tapestries each wall Was hung in the great guests' honour: King Gunther's royal hall {P. 77} Was adorned in princely fashion to greet the strangers' eyes: And thus did the stately feast-tide begin in gladsome wise.